Originally, there was to be a 200 series, but this was scrubbed at the last moment. What became the mid-range Chevy II 300 series included the two sedans, and -- unusual for this class -- a three-seat wagon with a rear-facing third seat.

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Interiors in the 1962 Chevy II 100 series were basic yet attractive. This car doesn't even have a cigarette lighter!

The top-of-the-line Nova 400 came as a very good looking Sport Coupe two-door hardtop, convertible, two- and four-door sedan, and two-seat wagon. Exclusive-to-Nova features included uplevel interior and exterior trim, including full wheel discs, carpeting, and foam-cushioned rear seats. All-vinyl interiors were found in the wagon and convertible, and bucket seats were optional in the Sport Coupe and convertible.

Engineering was straightforward, but contemporary. An all-new structure, shared with no other GM car, featured integral body/frame construction, but with a separate front-end sub-frame.

They reduced unsprung weight a bit, cut manufacturing costs, and were said to be less susceptible to rust damage. Two-ply tubeless tires and 13-inch wheels were standard, mounting 6.00 × 13 or 6.50 × 13 tires depending on model.

A new family of inline engines was developed to power the Chevy II. The standard engine for the 100/300 series was a 153-cubic-inch inline four, Chevrolet's first "four-banger" since 1928.

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Weighing in at just 2,410 pounds, the 1962 Chevy II came standard with a 90-horse ohv four displacing 153 cubic inches. That compared with the Ford Falcon's standard six with just 144 cid and 85 bhp.

A new 194-cubic-inch six, rated at 120 horsepower, was standard for Nova 400s, optional on the 100 and 300 (a 230-cid, 140-bhp version would make its debut in the full-size 1963 Chevrolet). Falcon's optional 170-cid six developed only 101 horses. Transmission choices were the usual three-speed, column-shift manual, with Chevy's two-speed Power-glide automatic optional.